Recently, the School of International Education at Tianjin Chengjian University invited a medical team from the Affiliated Hospital of the Tianjin Academy of Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) to visit the campus and organise a unique medical outreach event for international students from countries including Morocco, Yemen, Nigeria and so on. The event comprised three parts: the health awareness lecture, the experience of traditional Chinese wellness exercises, and practical sessions in TCM therapy. The atmosphere was lively, and through this immersive experience, the international students gained an appreciation for the depth and breadth of TCM culture and its unique charm.
I. Health Talk: Preventing Illness in Autumn and Winter – It Starts with ‘Knowledge’
At the start of the event, Wang Xiao, Dean of the School of International Education, addressed all staff, students and medical personnel, welcoming the medical staff. Subsequently, a doctor from the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences delivered an accessible health talk to international students on the theme of ‘Preventing Illness in Autumn and Winter’. Addressing illnesses prevalent in autumn and winter, such as influenza and eczema, the doctor provided a detailed explanation covering causes, modes of transmission and preventive measures, whilst specifically reminding international students to keep warm, ensure good indoor ventilation, maintain a balanced diet and increase physical activity. During the lecture, the doctor also provided practical health advice tailored to the students’ daily lives, such as washing hands frequently, wearing face masks, avoiding crowded places, and methods for preventing common autumn and winter illnesses. The international students listened attentively, with frequent interaction taking place during the session, and many expressed that they had gained a great deal from the event.
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II. Health-Preserving Exercises: Nourishing the Kidneys and Unblocking Meridians – Prevention is Key
Following the lecture, the doctors led all staff and students in a session of traditional Chinese health-preserving exercises—the ‘Kidney-Nourishing and Blood-Circulation-Promoting Exercises’. Following the doctors’ clear instructions, the international students lined up in neat formation and carefully mimicked each movement. This set of exercises, with its gentle, simple and easy-to-learn movements, is effective in tonifying the kidneys, boosting vital energy, and promoting blood circulation and meridian flow; it is particularly suitable for those engaged in long hours of work or study. As the doctors’ instructions were accompanied by classical Chinese music, everyone felt their bodies stretch and relax to the rhythmic beat, creating a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere.
III. Traditional Chinese Medicine Experience: Pulse-taking and Consultation – A Glimpse into the Wonders of TCM
In the final segment of the event, the doctors introduced the international students to a wealth of traditional Chinese medicine content. Specimens of Chinese herbal medicines, diagrams of acupuncture points, and tools for moxibustion and gua sha were all on display, attracting the curious gaze of many. The doctors patiently explained the properties of each herbal medicine, the location and functions of various acupoints on the human body, and provided illustrated explanations and demonstrations of the specific practices and profound significance of the ‘Wang(望)’, ‘Wen(闻)’, ‘Wen(问)’ and ‘Qie(切)’ involved in traditional TCM diagnosis. Subsequently, the international students queued up to experience traditional TCM therapies such as pulse diagnosis, gua sha and moxibustion. The doctors analysed the students’ physical conditions based on their pulse patterns and offered personalised advice; the warmth of the gua sha and moxibustion treatments left every student who tried them exclaiming that it was ‘magical’. Many students remarked that, after experiencing this series of TCM therapies, they felt a sense of relaxation unlike anything they had ever experienced before.
This medical outreach event not only enabled international students to acquire practical, fundamental health knowledge, but also provided them with a direct and profound understanding of the vast and profound culture of Traditional Chinese Medicine through hands-on experience. The event concluded successfully amidst laughter and cheerful conversation, with the students unanimously expressing that they had benefited greatly and looking forward to more opportunities in the future to experience the charm of traditional Chinese culture. In the future, our college will continue to build platforms for cultural exchange, enabling international students to understand and fall in love with China through immersive experiences, thereby truly becoming a new generation of international students in China who ‘understand’, ‘befriend’ and ‘love’ the country.
